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Shop for innovation
Top: Mark Adkison of the IHA. Inset: The Student Design Competition. Below: Discussions and product demonstrations in Inventors' Corner. Bottom: One of the IH+HS's 2,200 exhibitors.
Mark Adkison, vice president, international of the IHA explains why the IHA run International Home + Housewares Show (IH+HS) in Chicago is a hotbed for innovation thanks to its unique sectors and competition. “Many international buyers who used to visit the Show every two years now tell us they need to come every year. Just one of the positive comments we have received recently is from Ben Phillips, creative director of Steamer Trading: ”What makes the IHA Chicago show stand out for me is the sheer diversity of product on offer – I will often come away inspired to look at a category that I hadn’t got on my wish list before attending – and the extent of innovation shown, which is unmatched by any other show. Increasingly, Chicago seems to be the next port of call for products fresh from successful crowdfunding campaigns, now ready for a wider market.” Meanwhile, Matt Ryan, partner success manager of citiesocial, Taiwan tells us: ”The International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago is a fantastic opportunity to get a truly holistic grasp of the latest trends and innovations from not only US brands but also global suppliers. We loved the focus on creativity and were particularly impressed with the large number of brilliant startups and emerging brands demonstrating unique products. The IHA team's meticulous attention to detail resonates through every organisational level of the event.” Innovation is not found only in exhibitors’ booths on the Show floor, but also in several special programmes at the Show. These include the Inventors Corner and Inventors Revue, the IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) for product design and the IHA Student Design Competition. Located in the Clean + Contain Expo, the Inventors Corner brings the raw edge of creativity to the Show. The Inventors Corner Pavilion features
60 booths showcasing new housewares innovations and just-ready-for-market inventions. The Inventors Corner has become a major spotlight destination for the news media, retailers, branding experts and distributors worldwide, hoping to lock in deals with the featured inventors and introduce their new products to the marketplace. The Inventors Corner also features the Inventors Revue, where startup marketers present their creations to a panel of experts and seasoned inventors offer presentations on how to succeed as an inventor. The IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) for product design honour exhibitors’ latest creations and cutting-edge innovations with award recognition. Innovative products are judged by a panel of experts that includes designers, retailers and news media. Product finalists in 13 categories are featured in the Buyers Clubs at the Show and at the IHA Global Innovation Awards display in the Lakeside Center Lobby. Just before the Show, judges select a Global Honoree in each product category. Sponsored by the IHA and in its 26th year, the Student Design Competition is now truly global and recognised by design professionals for its contribution to education. Design students are invited to create concepts for housewares products. The competition is judged by housewares designers, managers at housewares companies, industrial design educators and even past contest winners, who select the winning projects from an international field of submissions.
www.housewares.org PROGRESSIVE
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The Student Design Competition’s challenge to students is to redesign a current housewares product to meet the needs of the future or to create a concept for a new product. Winning projects are selected for their innovation, understanding of production and marketing principles and quality of entry materials. The first, second and third place winners are featured in the Student Design Competition exhibit in the Hall of Global Innovation in the Lakeside Center. In addition to more than 2,200 exhibitors showcasing thousands of new products, the IH+HS offers visitors education and insight into business practices and trends that are shaping the industry. We are delighted to continue to foster innovation at the Show and provide the platform for international buyers to find these innovative new products and brands to differentiate their product offering and concepts.” See www.housewares.org.